What is Black History Month?
Black History Month (BHM), also known as African American History Month, is an annual observance in the United States and Canada to commemorate the achievements and contributions of Black people throughout history. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two important figures in the struggle for Black equality at the time.
Black History Month is a celebration of Black culture, Black individual accomplishments and Black contribution to the advancement and elevation of the global Black community. This relates directly to Black organizations, as they most often embody Black culture, Black accomplishments, and Black community expansion.
Impact of Black Organizations on Black History
Today’s Black organizations continue to carry the legacy and missions put forth by the many Black individuals we most often remember throughout the month.
One of the ways that Black communities can celebrate and honor their history is through the support of Black organizations. These organizations play a critical role in improving the lives of Black people and communities, addressing a range of social, educational, economic development, health related, community building and cultural challenges.
However, many often forget that Black organizations also play a larger role in supporting and promoting Black history, culture awareness, family & collective heritage of Black people, through initiatives such as preserving historical landmarks, promoting Black artists and musicians, and supporting cultural events, museum exhibitions and festivals.
By supporting Black organizations, individuals and businesses can help to ensure that Black history and culture continue to be celebrated and honored and that Black communities have the resources they need to succeed and thrive for generations to come with the understanding that generational giving creates generational impact.
2023 Black History Month Theme
The Black History Month 2023 theme, “Black Resistance,” explores how African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms and police killings, since the nation’s earliest days.
Black History is defined by “Black Resistance”. The people we most often remember during BHM, are the individuals who have courageously embodied “Resistance & Resiliency” while significantly positively impacting Black communities locally, nationally as well as internationally.
What do most of them have in common? Their legacy lives on through several movements they started. The Slavery Abolition Movement, the Civil Right Movement, Segregation, and the Anti-Apartheid Movement have all spawned the creation of several organizations. Here are some of the most recognized today:
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – W.E.B. Du Bois
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) – Martin Luther King Jr
- The Center for Nonviolent Social Change – Coretta Scott King
- Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) – Ella Baker
- Black Panther Party (BPP) – Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale
- Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Elders – Nelson Mandela
- Negro Citizenship Association – Donald Willard Moore
- Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL) – Marcus Garvey
These organizations have all uniquely, positively, shaped the lives of Black people worldwide while inspiring countless others to continue their legacy and take on their mission.
This month and all year round you can find organizations to support that matches your interest or passion by browsing Support Black Charities’ online directory.
We also encourage you to take the opportunity to engage with the many organizations who are hosting an event during Black History Month this year. Please check out this BHM’s Event Calendar to find an event to participate in.
We invite you to share with us which organization you decided to support and why.
Supporting Black organizations especially during Black History Month means contributing to the impact of today’s Black community leaders and consequently shaping the future of Black History.